Obama Did Not Buy Michelle Rare Gold Ring, Says Spokesperson

UPDATE: The Obama camp flatly denies that Obama bought his wife Michelle a $33,000 rhodium ring as a thank you gift, according to The Chicago Sun Times. "'No ring was purchased,' said [Obama spokesperson Ben] LaBolt." The statement was made in response to a Daily Mail article claiming that he would.

Here is an excerpt from the original Daily Mail story:

Michelle Obama is to receive this £20,000 thank you from her husband for her support during the election.

The Harmony ring is made of rhodium - the world's most expensive metal --and encrusted with diamonds. It is being hastily made by Italian designer Giovanni Bosco in time for January's inauguration ceremony.

Only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, mostly in South Africa, and as a result its price is typically around £5,000 an ounce.

Comments

[Aabby]

If this is true, it will be the first time ever President -elect Obama has disappointed me. I don’t think it’s true.

[StephenDedalus82]

This is a Drudge-encrusted hoax.

[poco767c]

Aside from the fact that the internet carries no other record of the existence of this designer barring drudge and hannity, and that this seems incredibly out of character for Obama, the main reason this story seems fake is that is a fugly ass ring, I expect the Obama's to have better taste.

[LORISNJ]

I agree with the majority here, there is no way that this story is real.

No self respecting black man would buy Rhodium encrusted with diamonds from South Africa - not without making sure that the rare metal and gems were mined legally and without aiding the criminals that exploit workers in the mines.

This is so not Obama.

Not even a pretty ring.

[eva belle]

Guys, this story is a hoax. Obama would never be so unsmart as to do such a thing..and i think the designer is just looking for his own publicity..

[rollingdivision]

How many hungry children would $30,000 feed? They buy eye candy while there are poor children just surviving no more than a few blocks from their White House mansion.

[jcwtts1]

not sure I believe the story but if it is true it is his money, he worked for it, didn't inherit it. He pays taxes on what he makes and he isn't super rich. It isn't out of line to buy your wife a ring.

J

[MarieFara]

If it's not with your tax money, what do you care? How many hungry children could 700 BILLION dollars feed????

[nellie]

I'm sure the Obamas do more than their share of helping people in need, financially as well as through their actions.

[Wiserone]

Might be the "same" guy who reported that Palin didn't know if Africa was a country or a continent and it was bogus. Yet, I still do believe she would have failed that question if legitmately asked. As far as the ring, so what? It's his and Michelle's money and they can do what they wish with it. Doubt it is coming from campaign funds because he, of all Presidents, will be scrutinized more than any other. Also, I find ANY mention as to how much "he" is spending to be rather racist. Obama can't like nice things or for that matter 'know' about such items??

[gvc]

I want to point out that a genuine anonymous source made the statement about Palin and Africa. It was only after the fact that a phony source claimed credit. We have no reason to discredit the original story, and her response regarding "the country Africa" does little to discredit it.

[SEQUOIABISON]

It seems out of character to be purchasing such a high ticketed item in these depressed times, Barack does not seem to be the type of person that would be this flamboyant during a national financial crisis???

[karela]

Imagine how much more fun it would be for Michelle if the media would allow her the pleasure of anniversary flowers or a Christmas gift that weren't reported on before he was able to give it to her. This could still have been a story the day after Christmas. Why can't they allow our new first couple a little romance? They have surely earned the right to their love and the nation benefits from the gift of the role modeling they provide. I'd like to suggest that the media try turning their head sometimes and allowing this couple a bit of privacy. You could have told us about the ring after he gave it to her and it would have been a bigger story with no mean side to it.

[jcwtts1]

in a 24 hour news cycle you have to have 24 hours of news.

[ritenow]

Not buying it. The story or the ring.

[horsey]

Where the heck did this leak come from? Couldn't of been to many people told about this.

[ApolloniaCreed]

I would suspect the seller... watch their sales soar!

[obamanation31]

Exactly.

[chrissy22]

all that crap she had to put up with the right wing nuts she deserves it

[CheshireCat2]

Wonder why they left the price in British Pounds instead of dollars? Hmm!

[poco767c]

Because it is from the DailyMail, a UK paper.

[CheshireCat2]

In the American dollar that ring would cost in the area of 30,000 dollars.

[emmaspeaks]

Wish my husband would buy me any ring.

[nikky]

go on the stump and run day and night for two years you might get it

[neve]

Michelle, first granny and the girls deserve a wonderful Christmas, but Michelle and Barack seem too practical for such an extravagant and grossly politically incorrect piece. Diamonds and precious metal from South African mines??? Not on your life.